TAXI fares in Pendle will increase by 50 per cent over the Christmas holiday.

Fares for hackney cabs, which have to be hailed in the street, are set by Pendle Council and the increase will apply from 6pm on Christmas Eve and at all times on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

At present, fares in hackney cabs are £2 for the first three fifths of a mile, 10 pence for every subsequent eleventh of a mile and 50 pence extra for fares between midnight and 6am.

Peter Frost, of Pendle Council's taxi licensing section, said: "The fares increase every year over the Christmas period and have been doing so for many years.

"We're keen to warn local people about this, so that they have enough money with them before setting out on their journey."

The cost of journeys in private hire taxis, which are pre-booked by telephone, are subject to agreement between a passenger and the taxi driver. Pendle Council is urging passengers using private hire taxis to agree the fare before they set off on their journey.

Mr Frost said: "Every year, we get reports of arguments between passengers and private hire drivers about fares. We urge passengers to agree a fare before they get into the private hire taxi."